One stamp at a time – Chapter One

One stamp at a time

Chapter 1

The travel bug got me early in my life.

I remember the excitement going to the sea side, running and jumping in the corridor the night before, not sleeping, the first sight of the sea after the long ride, the dessert house offering amazing cakes, the bungalows and the fireflies late night.

The next travel I remember is going to Ukraine where my grandparents live (from father’s side). Being the navigator in our Moskvitch car all the 1500km North to Kiev. Or travelling in the train for 3 days 🙂

Back then was the first culture shock I had. It was on the border with Ukraine and the officer asked my sister “Is this you on the photo of the passport”, and she noded “Yes”. But in Bulgaria we nod vice versa. Sideways is for yes, up/down is for no. Later, talking to my cousin, I look at her – she nods “no” but I understand yes.

Very few countries like Greece, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Bulgaria, Albania, and Sicily have this type of nod. So be mindful 🙂

…

I remember the excitement when I got my first passport! I was happy to be an autonomous entity able to go abroad!

Have you noticed the instructions on the back of the passport?

This passport contains sensitive electronic elements.

The passport must be kept safe from damage or lost.

The passport should not be folded, scratched, punched, warmed or put in a wet place.

Passport with a correction, partial damage or marked by an unauthorized person is invalid.

In case of lost, damage or steal, the owner must immediately notify the nearest consulate.

We used to replace the word passport… 😀 And it reads like this:

This ass contains sensitive electronic elements.

The ass must be kept safe from damage or lost.

The ass should not be folded, scratched, punched, warmed or put in a wet place.

An ass with a correction, partial damage or marked by an unauthorized person is invalid.

In case of lost, damage or steal, the owner must immediately notify the nearest consulate.

And that’s how it started. Just wanted to stamp my ass in many countries, to see many things and to meet many people…